Several Democratic states have filed a lawsuit challenging billionaire Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claiming he wields "virtually unchecked power" that violates constitutional principles.
The White House maintains that Musk serves only as a senior adviser to President Trump rather than an official DOGE administrator. This distinction could prove critical in the legal battle over the agency's access to government data as the administration pursues widespread federal workforce reductions.
The lawsuit comes as the DOGE team examines federal agencies' computer systems, budgets, and operations searching for potential waste and abuse. Musk recently advocated for eliminating entire federal agencies to cut spending and restructure government priorities.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Musk "works at the direction of President Trump," though she declined to identify DOGE's administrator during a press briefing. Minutes earlier on Fox News Channel, she stated Musk oversees the effort on the president's behalf.
The administration's legal defense claims Musk has "no actual authority to make government decisions himself," according to Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration. However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan expressed skepticism toward this argument during a recent hearing.
The case highlights growing concerns about Musk's influence within the administration despite lacking an elected position or Senate confirmation. Multiple lawsuits now target both DOGE's activities and Musk's role specifically as the team continues its sweeping review of federal operations.